CLIMATE AND

BIODIVERSITY
 What Is Biodiversity and Why Is It
Important?
• The biodiversity found in
genes, species,
ecosystems, and
ecosystem processes is
vital to sustaining life on
earth.
 Functional Diversity Ecological Diversity
The biological and chemical processes such as energy The variety of terrestrial and

Types of
flow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species, aquatic ecosystems found in
communities, and ecosystems. an area or on the earth.

Diversity
• Genetic
diversity
• Ecosystem
diversity
• Functional
diversity
• Species
diversity Genetic Diversity
The variety of genetic material
Species Diversity
The number and abundance of species
within a species or a population. present in different communities
Fig. 4-2, p. 61
 Genetic Diversity
It is basically the variety of
species expressed at the 
genetic level by each
individual in a species. No
two individuals belonging to
the same species are exactly
similar.
 Species Diversity
• It is the biodiversity observed within a community. It stands for the number and 
distribution of species.
• The number of species in a region varies widely depending upon the varied environmental
 conditions.
Ecological diversity
• It defines the diversity observed among
the ecosystems in a particular region.
• Different ecosystems like mangroves,
rainforests, deserts, etc., show a great
variety of life forms residing in them.
Functional Diversity
• The biological and chemical processes such as energy
flow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species,
communities, and ecosystem
How Does the Earth’s Life Change over
Time?
• The scientific theory of evolution explains how life on
earth changes over time through changes in the genes of
populations.

• Populations evolve when genes mutate and give some

individuals genetic traits that enhance their abilities to
survive and to produce offspring with these traits
(natural selection).
 Theory of Evolution
• Fossils
• Mineralized and petrified
remains
• Skeletons, bones, and shells
• Leaves and seeds
• Impressions in rocks
• Fossil record incomplete: ~1% of
all species
Population Changes over Time
• Populations evolve by becoming genetically
different over time
• Genetic variability – mutations
• Random changes in DNA molecules in genes
• Can occur spontaneously
• External agents: radiation
• Can create a heritable trait
Natural Selection
Adaptive traits -
• genetically favorable traits that increase the probability to survive and reproduce
• Trait – heritable and lead to differential reproduction
• Faced with environmental change
• Adapt through evolution
• Migrate
• Become extinct
Evolution through Natural Selection
Summarized
• Genes mutate, individuals are selected, and populations evolve
such that they are better adapted to survive and reproduce under
existing environmental conditions.
 Adaptation through Natural Selection Has
Limits
• Humans unlikely to evolve
and have skin that’s not
harmed by UV radiation
1. Desired trait must already be in
the gene pool.
2. Must have high reproductive
capacity so adaptive traits can
be spread rapidly
Three Myths about Evolution through
Natural Selection Refuted
“Survival of the fittest” does not mean “survival of the
strongest”

Organisms don’t develop traits just because they would be

useful: giraffes and long necks

There is no grand plan of nature to create more perfectly

adapted species – no trend toward genetic perfection
Science Key adaptations – also enabled us to
Focus: How modify environment

Did We • Opposable thumbs

• Walk upright
Become • Complex brains
• Transmit ideas to others
Such a • Develop technologies to alter environment

Powerful Technology dominates earth’s life

support systems
Species?
How Do Geological Processes and Climate Changes
Affect Evolution?
Geographical isolation

Changes in sea level:

Mass extinctions

Climate change

Geological formations and mineral resources

 Plate Tectonics
• Locations of continents and oceans
determine earth’s climate
• Movement of continents allow species
to move and adapt
• Earthquakes and volcanoes affect
biological evolution by separating
populations of a species and allowing
new species to develop
 Earth’s Long-Term Climate Changes
• Cooling and warming periods –
affect evolution and extinction
of species
• Change ocean levels and area
• Glaciers expanding and
contracting
• Climate changes

• Opportunities for the evolution

of new species
• Many species go extinct
Science Focus: Earth is Just Right for Life
to Thrive
Life needs a temperature range that results in liquid water

Earth’s orbit: right distance from sun

Earth’s optimal gravity: keeps atmosphere

Favorable temperature range over earth history has promoted evolution and
biodiversity

Favorable oxygen level in atmosphere

How Do Speciation, Extinction, and Human
Activities Affect Biodiversity?

• Human activities decrease the

earth’s biodiversity by causing
the premature extinction of
species and by destroying or
degrading habitats needed for
the development of new
species.
 Speciation
• Speciation
• One species splits into
two or more species
that can no longer
breed and produce
fertile offspring
Science Focus: Changing Genetic Traits
• Artificial selection
• Selective breeding: crossbreeding varieties within same species to enhance desired
traits
• Grains, fruits, vegetables, dogs, other animals
• Genetic engineering
• Add, delete, or alter DNA segments
• Add desirable genes from other species
• New drugs, pest-resistant plants
• Controversial
 Mass extinction
• Earth took millions of years
to recover from previous
mass extinctions
• Balance between
speciation and extinction
determines biodiversity of
earth
• Humans cause premature
extinction of species
 What Is Species Diversity and Why Is It
Important?
• Species diversity refers to the
variety of different species
that exist in a given
ecosystem or on the planet as
a whole. It is one component
of biodiversity, which also
includes genetic diversity and
ecosystem diversity.
What Roles Do Species Play in an Ecosystem?
• Each species plays a specific
ecological role called its niche.
• A niche comprises:
• The habitat in which the organism
lives
• The organism’s activity pattern:
the periods of time during which it
is active
• The resources it obtains for habitat
 Ruddy

Ecological Niche Herring gull

is a tireless
turnstone
searches under
shells and
scavenger pebbles
• Species occupy Brown pelican Avocet sweeps bill
for small
invertebrates
through mud and
unique niches and dives for fish,
which it locates surface water in search Dowitcher probes
Black skimmer
play specific roles in seizes small fish
from the air of small crustaceans, deeply into mud in
insects, and seeds search of snails,
an ecosystem at water surface
marine worms, and
small crustaceans
• Includes everything
required for survival
and reproduction
• Water
• Sunlight
Flamingo feeds on Louisiana heron Oystercatcher feeds on Piping plover
• Space minute organisms wades into water clams, mussels, and other feeds on insects
in mud to seize small fish shellfish into which it and tiny
• Temperatures pries its narrow beak crustaceans on
• sandy beaches
Food requirements Scaup and other diving Knot (sandpiper)
ducks feed on mollusks, picks up worms
crustaceans, and aquatic and small crustaceans
vegetation left by receding tide
Species can play five major roles within
ecosystems
Native species
- Normally live and thrive in a particular area

Nonnative species
• Invasive, alien, exotic introduced into an area not normally found

Indicator species
- Provide early warning signs of ecosystem damage
- Many bird species, butterflies

Keystone species
- Roles have large effect on the types and abundance of other species

Foundation species
- Play major role in shaping their communities
Weather Vs. Climate
Three Major Climate Zones

Tropical Polar Temperate

Fig. 7-1, p. 147

Climate in the Philippines
Major Drivers of Climate
The Earth's climate is influenced by a complex interplay of physical,
chemical, and biological factors. Some of the major drivers of
climate include:
Wind Patterns (air circulation in lower atmosphere)
• Due to:
1. Uneven heating of the earth’s surface by sun
2. Earth’s rotation
3. Heat absorbing properties of air, water, and land

•Ocean currents
• Due to:
1. Prevailing winds
2. Earth’s rotation
3. Ocean temperature
4. Ocean salinity
Global Air Circulation

Fig. 7-3, p. 149

Energy Transfer by Convection
in the Atmosphere

Fig. 7-4, p. 150

Connected Deep and Shallow Ocean Currents

Fig. 7-5, p. 150

 H2O
Greenhouse CO2
gases CH4
N2O

Major
Natural
greenhouse
effect
Gases keep
earth habitable Driver of
Climate
Human-enhanced global
warming
Flow of Energy to and from the Earth

Fig. 3-4, p. 57
Local Climates or Micro-Climates
•Uneven heat absorption by land and water
•Land and sea breezes
•Elevation
•Rain shadow effect
•Most precipitation falls on the windward side of
mountain ranges
•Deserts leeward
•Cities create microclimates
 GENERALIZED EFFECTS OF ELEVATION
AND LATITUDE ON CLIMATE AND BIOMES

Fig. 7-8, p. 153

Rain Shadow Effect

Fig. 7-6, p. 152

 How Does Climate Affect the Nature
and Locations of Biomes?
• Differences in average annual precipitation and
temperature lead to the formation of tropical, temperate,
and cold deserts, grasslands, and forests, and largely
determine their locations.
 Major biomes: large land regions
with certain types of climate and
Climate dominant plant life
Helps
Create
Biomes Created by/Controlled by
Latitude and Annual
Temperature
elevation precipitation
Global Plant Biodiversity

Figure 6, Supplement 8
Type of Ecosystem
• Natural ecosystem: these • Artificial ecosystem are created
operate under natural conditions by human beings
without any major interference by
man
• Where management balance of
nature is disturbed regularly
• A place where plants and animals • Example – gardens , aquarium ,
are dependent upon one another
dams wheat , urban
DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATION OF ECOSYSTEM
Land Ecosystem
• Land ecosystems are ecosystems that exist on land and are characterized by the
types of plants, animals, and physical environments that are present in them. Here
are some examples of land ecosystems:
Aquatic ecosystems
• are ecosystems that exist in water and are characterized by the
types of plants, animals, and physical environments
Tropical deserts
There Are
Three
Temperate deserts Major
Types of
Cold deserts
Deserts
Climate Graphs of Three Types of Deserts

Fig. 7-10, p. 155

There Are Three Major Types of
Grasslands
1. Tropical
• Savanna: Mostly grassland with scattered trees
• Wet and Dry seasons

2. Temperate
• Cold winters and hot and dry summers
• Grass prairies
• Often converted to farmland

3. Cold (arctic tundra)

• Plants close to ground to conserve heat
• Most growth in short summer
• Permafrost: Underground soil that stays frozen
Temperate Shrubland: Nice Climate, Risky
Place to Live

Chaparral

Near the sea: nice climate

Prone to fires in the dry season

There Are Three Major Types of
Forests
1. Tropical
• High temperature and precipitation
• Very High Species Diversity
• Rapid recycling of scarce soil nutrients
• Rapidly impacted by human activities

2. Temperate
• Diversity of broad-leaf, deciduous trees
• Moderate Rainfall

3. Cold
• Evergreen coniferous forests: boreal or taigas
• Cold and drier climate
• Low cone bearing tree diversity
Mountains Play Important Ecological
Roles
Majority of the world’s forests

Islands of biodiversity

Habitats for endemic species

Help regulate the earth’s climate

Major storehouses of water (snowpack and Role in hydrologic cycle

glaciers)
How Have We Affected the Word’s
Terrestrial Ecosystems?
• In many areas, human activities are impairing
ecological and economic services provided by the
earth’s deserts, grasslands, forests, and mountains.
 Common Human Impacts to Biomes
Deserts
• Large desert cities
• Destruction of soil and
underground habitat by off-
road vehicles
• Soil salinization from irrigation
• Depletion of groundwater
• Land disturbance and pollution
from mineral extraction
 Common Human Impacts to Biomes

Grasslands
• Conversion to cropland
• Release of CO to atmosphere
2
from burning grassland
• Overgrazing by livestock
• Oil production and off-road
vehicles in arctic tundra
 Common Human Impacts to Biomes

Forests
• Clearing for agriculture,
livestock grazing, timber,
and urban development
• Conversion of diverse
forests to tree plantations
• Pollution of forest streams
 Common Human Impacts to Biomes

Mountains
• Timber and mineral extraction
• Hydroelectric dams and
reservoirs
• Air pollution blowing in from
urban areas and power plants
• Water supplies threatened by
glacial melting
• Increasing tourism
 NATURAL CAPITAL
DEGRADATION
Major Human Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems
Deserts Grasslands Forests Mountains

Large desert cities Conversion Clearing for Agriculture

to cropland agriculture, Timber extraction
Soil destruction by Release of CO livestock grazing, Mineral extraction
2 timber, and urban
off-road vehicles to atmosphere development Hydroelectric dams
from burning and reservoirs
Soil salinization grassland
from irrigation Conversion of Increasing tourism
diverse forests to
Overgrazing tree plantations Urban air pollution
Depletion of by livestock
groundwater Increased ultraviolet
Damage from off- radiation from ozone
Oil production road vehicles
Land disturbance and off-road depletion
and pollution from vehicles in Pollution of Soil damage from off-road
mineral extraction arctic tundra forest streams vehicles Stepped Art
Fig. 7-18, p. 165
Differences in climate, based mostly on long-
term differences in average temperature and
precipitation, largely determine the types and
locations of the earth’s deserts, grasslands, and
forests.

The earth’s terrestrial systems provide

Three Big
important ecological and economic services.
Ideas
Human activities are degrading and disrupting
many of the ecological and economic services
provided by the earth’s terrestrial ecosystems.
ACTIVITY– make a collage and describe
different types of biomes
• Terrestrial biomes • Aquatics biomes
• Savannah • Marine
• Grassland
• Desert • Freshwater
• Tropical rainforest
• Tundra
• Taiga